Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raider thoughts 40 days out
September 29, 2023 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech is only two days into official practice and 40 days from the start of the season. The Red Raiders are set to open their season on November 8 against Texas A&M-Commerce at home in the United Supermarkets Arena where they practiced on Thursday and Friday in their first couple days of official practice.
Head coach Grant McCasland is in his first season leading the program after being hired on March 31 after leading North Texas to the 2023 NIT Championship. He spent six seasons in Denton before making his way to Lubbock where he has worked since that first day to build a roster and staff. The roster includes five returners and nine newcomers. Three newcomers, Darrion Williams, Chance McMillian, and Joe Toussaint spoke with the media this week after practice. Each was added through the transfer portal and after seasons where their previous team advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Williams was the Mountain West Freshman of the Year at Nevada. Toussaint played a key role at West Virginia and McMillian played in the NCAA Tournament twice while at Grand Canyon.
Below are a few of their thoughts going into the month of October. Â
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Darrion Williams | Sophomore - Forward | Sacramento, California
On his role: "I'm trying to connect with the team and find a role within the team. We're not the biggest team in the world so we know we're going to have to go in there and help Warren Washington out against bigger teams. That's about finding the right positioning and where the ball is going to go."
On his development and strengths: "We are in the gym everyday shooting before and after practice. It translates. The work works. Being versatile and do whatever I can do to help the team win. Whether that's passing, defending, shooting. It's an all-around game
On his role: "We are physical with each other every day in practice. We come out here to compete. We're getting in that right mindset for the season coming up."
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Chance McMillian | Junior - Guard | Vallejo, California
On the leadup to official practice: "We came together quick. Gelled fast off the court. That's a good plus for us going into the season."
On his development and strengths: "Getting used to the physicality of this team and conference. It wasn't as physical where I came from as it's going to be in this conference. Going against them (teammates) is going to have me more prepared this season. My biggest strength is my shooting and play-make when needed. I need to continue working on making decisions quicker off ball screens and in general."
On his role: "I wouldn't say our roles are determined yet but I do know that I will be shooting the ball."
On why he's at Texas Tech: "The coaching staff. I really trust him (McCasland). He's won everywhere he's been. I want to win too. He recruits good, genuine people on and off the court. I want to be around that too. The culture he is building is nice."
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Joe Toussaint | Senior - Guard | Bronx, New York
On his role: "I feel like I'm the head of the defense and will probably be picking up full court and making the other guards work. Push them out of their offense. Our guys will feed off of me doing that."
On his development and strengths: "I have the utmost confidence no matter what. I can shoot the ball from the other side of the court and I think it's going in. I'm a vocal leader but can do a better job leading and being more vocal when I'm tired. I'm a voice and lead by example. When I see something I don't like, then I definitely make it known. I've been here for two months now and we are really close already."
On playing with Pop Isaacs: "He makes my life easy. He's a shooter and playmaker. We play off each other. It's easy when you've got a shooter with you. He's a really good player and I'm happy to be on the court with him."
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Head coach Grant McCasland is in his first season leading the program after being hired on March 31 after leading North Texas to the 2023 NIT Championship. He spent six seasons in Denton before making his way to Lubbock where he has worked since that first day to build a roster and staff. The roster includes five returners and nine newcomers. Three newcomers, Darrion Williams, Chance McMillian, and Joe Toussaint spoke with the media this week after practice. Each was added through the transfer portal and after seasons where their previous team advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Williams was the Mountain West Freshman of the Year at Nevada. Toussaint played a key role at West Virginia and McMillian played in the NCAA Tournament twice while at Grand Canyon.
Below are a few of their thoughts going into the month of October. Â
Â
Darrion Williams | Sophomore - Forward | Sacramento, California
On his role: "I'm trying to connect with the team and find a role within the team. We're not the biggest team in the world so we know we're going to have to go in there and help Warren Washington out against bigger teams. That's about finding the right positioning and where the ball is going to go."
On his development and strengths: "We are in the gym everyday shooting before and after practice. It translates. The work works. Being versatile and do whatever I can do to help the team win. Whether that's passing, defending, shooting. It's an all-around game
On his role: "We are physical with each other every day in practice. We come out here to compete. We're getting in that right mindset for the season coming up."
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Chance McMillian | Junior - Guard | Vallejo, California
On the leadup to official practice: "We came together quick. Gelled fast off the court. That's a good plus for us going into the season."
On his development and strengths: "Getting used to the physicality of this team and conference. It wasn't as physical where I came from as it's going to be in this conference. Going against them (teammates) is going to have me more prepared this season. My biggest strength is my shooting and play-make when needed. I need to continue working on making decisions quicker off ball screens and in general."
On his role: "I wouldn't say our roles are determined yet but I do know that I will be shooting the ball."
On why he's at Texas Tech: "The coaching staff. I really trust him (McCasland). He's won everywhere he's been. I want to win too. He recruits good, genuine people on and off the court. I want to be around that too. The culture he is building is nice."
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Joe Toussaint | Senior - Guard | Bronx, New York
On his role: "I feel like I'm the head of the defense and will probably be picking up full court and making the other guards work. Push them out of their offense. Our guys will feed off of me doing that."
On his development and strengths: "I have the utmost confidence no matter what. I can shoot the ball from the other side of the court and I think it's going in. I'm a vocal leader but can do a better job leading and being more vocal when I'm tired. I'm a voice and lead by example. When I see something I don't like, then I definitely make it known. I've been here for two months now and we are really close already."
On playing with Pop Isaacs: "He makes my life easy. He's a shooter and playmaker. We play off each other. It's easy when you've got a shooter with you. He's a really good player and I'm happy to be on the court with him."
?? @CoachGrantMac
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) September 28, 2023
"We don't have anyone in here just trying to figure out how they can get their own and get out of here. We really have a great group of guys that want to win." pic.twitter.com/Z7V3CPmUmu
In the gym.
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) September 29, 2023
Nowhere we'd rather be ??#TTW | ??? @OfficialDW03 pic.twitter.com/TeqGY4VV2g
ÂSights & Sounds from Day 1.
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) September 28, 2023
??? @TouTou__5 @ChanceMcMillian pic.twitter.com/oVJpseWv5p
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